Hospital data shows fingers account for most amputations among children
More than 950 children visited emergency rooms in 2003 for traumatic amputations, according to data released this week from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. Fingers and thumbs accounted for 64 percent of these injuries, according to a study abstract.
Among children 4 and younger, fingers and thumbs accounted for 80 percent of amputations, which most often were the result of being caught between objects, a press release from NCH said. Children younger than 2 had the highest rate of amputations overall -- most related to doors.
"Prevention strategies such as doorstops or other door design modifications can help to reduce the number of door-related amputation injuries," CIRP Director Gary Smith said.
The study was published in the January edition of the Journal of Trauma.
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